Clip for fountain pens or pencils



Dec. '7 1926 H. A. WIDMER CLIP FOR FOUNTAIN PENS OR PENCILS Filed August 26, 1926 through said slot for use. The arm conveni-- Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE".

HARRY ALPHONSE WIDMER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN ROBERT PAKEMAN, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

CLIP FOR FOUNTAIN PENS OR PENCILS.

Application filed August 25, 1926, Serial No. 131.780, and in Great Britain February 23. '1926.

The present invention relates to improve ments in clips for fountain pens and pencils. 'The clips now in use are unsightly in appearance and have the further disadvantage that they interfere to some extent with the use of the pen.

The present invention is designedto provide a clip adapted to lie flush with the surface of the pen cap when the pen is in use and to be projectedfrom the wall of the cap when it is desired to clip the pen to the edge of the pocket'or to a like place. The clip can also be used with other instruments usually carried in the pocket.

According to this invention a clip arm for a pen or pencil is adapted to lie within a slot in the wall thereof and to be projected ently forms part of a lever fulcrumed within the cap of the pen or pencil, an inturned arm on the lever being adapted to be operated by a pressure against the action of a spring.

One preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which-- j Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view through the complete mechanism.

Figure 2 is an elevation taken at right angles to Figure l. v

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively detail views of the spring and nib plug.

Figure 5 is an alternative method of re taining the plunger.

As shown, the cap 1 is provided with a nib plug 2 which performs its usual functions, which formno part of the present invention and need not be further described here. This nib plug 2 is flattened off along one side at 3, the flat being carried round in a curve 4 at the upper end. This fiat provides a seating for parts of the mechanism and leaves a space for its accommodation.

The cap 1 is slotted at 5 to accommodate a clip member 6 which forms part of a lever having a curved inner arm 7. The clip member 6 is shaped so that it will conform with the outer surface of the cap 1 and lie flush therewith. The lever is fulcrumed in the cap in any convenient manner such as that used for pivoting the lever commonly used in certain types of self-filling fountain pens. In the example shown it is fulcrumed on a wire ring 8 which is secured within the cap, say by soldering if the cap is of metal. Or

The under surface of the clip member 6 is conveniently serrated or roughened as at 9 to ensure a better grip in use. Between the lever and the plug 2 is a flat spring 10 whichrests on the flat on the plug, and is held in position by friction. If necessary the spring slotted at 11 to accommodate part of the thickness of the clip member 6 and the plug 2 may also be recessed for this purpose. At the top the spring is slotted at 12 to accommodate a small projection 13 on the arm 7, the slot being elongated to allow. for the relative movement which occurs when the mechanism is operated. The spring when free is quite flat so that when in position as shown, it urges the clip member 6 inward. This movement is stopped by engagement of a part of the clip 6, say a projection 14 on its end, contacting with the plug 2, conveniently when the outer surface of the clip is flush with the outer surface of the cap 1. The surface of the clip may, however, lie below the surface of the cap.

It will be understood that if downward pressure is applied on the arm 7 the lever will swing about its fulcrum 8 and the clip will project into the dotted line position of Figure 1 when the pen carrying the cap may be inserted into a pocket so that the material of the pocket enters between the cap and the clip. On releasing the pressure the spring closes the clip towards the cap and the material is firmly gripped. To

apply the pressure any convenient plunger may be used. In the example shown the plunger comprises a ball or bead 15 of metal which is retained in the cap by spinning over the material of the cap at 16. VVhere' the cap is of non-metallic material, the ball may be retained by a metal ring 17 as'shown in Figure 5.

i/Vhen the pen is to be removed from the pocket, the ball is depressed thus raising the clip. hen the pressure is released the clip lies flush and does not interfere in any way with the comfortable use of the pen, nor does it include any unsightly attachment.

What I claim is 1. In a pocket instrument, a clip'pivoted within the instrument normally lying within the boundary surface thereof, an inturned arm on said lever and means for pressing upon said inturncd arm, whereby said clip is caused to project beyond said surface.

2. In a pocket instrument, a clip mounted within the instrument normally lying Within the boundary surface thereof and a plunger mounted in said instrument adapted on depression to project said clip beyond said boundary surface.

3. lnia pocket pen, pencil, or the like, a clip, spring means normally holding said clip within thc'boundary surface of the instrument, and a plunger adapted on depres sion to project said clipbeyond said boundary surface.

a. In a pocketinstrument, a cap, a clip pivoted Within said cap and normally lying Within a slot in the Wall oi said cap, an inturned arm on said clip, spring means holding said clip in normal position and means for pressing upon said inturned arm Whereby said clip is caused to project through the slot.

5. In a pocket instrument, a cap, a plug within said cap having a spring seating formed thereon, a clip adapted to lie Within the boundary surface of said cap, a spring mounted on said plug co-acting with said clip and means for projecting said clip beyond the boundary surface of said cap against the action of said spring.

6. In a pocket instrument, a cap, a plug within said cap having a spring seating formed thereon, a clip pivoted Within said cap and normally lying Within the boundary surface thereof, a flat spring mounted on said plug, an inturned arm on said clip engaging in a slotin said spring and a plunger adaptedito bear on said inturned arm.

T. In a pocket instrument, a cap, a plug Within said cap having a spring seating formed thereon, a clip pivoted Within said cap and normally lying Within the boundary surface thereof, a flat spring mounted on said pin, anintuined arm on said clip engagingin a slot in said spring, a-ball carried within said cap above said inturned arm and projecting from said cap, and means for retaining said ball within said cap.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HARRY ALPHONSE \VIDMER. 

